CBC News: Sidewalk listeners in Moncton try to promote ‘human connection’
Volunteers will sitting in front of Moncton City Hall this week, ready to provide an empathetic ear to anyone who wants to talk. (Submitted by Samantha Nickerson)
Mental health volunteers are taking to Moncton sidewalks this week to listen to strangers.
Volunteers will sit next to empty chairs, inviting people walking by to stop and chat about whatever is on their minds.
Volunteers are "active" listeners, trained to listen without judgment and not give advice.
"We're not promoting therapy or anything at all," therapist Kayla Breelove-Carter said. "It's really just promoting empathetic listening and emotional intelligence and human connection."
Sidewalk Talk is a partnership between Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick and Breelove Counselling.
It's part of an international movement involving more than 4,000 volunteers in 40 cities and 12 countries.